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SpaceX Launches Satellites From California Air Base

A SpaceX rocket on Sunday launched from California, carrying 10 communications satellites, just two days after the company launched another satellite from Florida.

The Falcon 9 rocket took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Los Angeles and carried new satellites for Iridium Communications, which is replacing its orbiting fleet with a next-generation constellation of satellites.

About 7 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's first-stage booster returned to earth and landed on a floating platform on a ship in the Pacific Ocean.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 on Friday launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida and boosted a communications satellite for Bulgaria into orbit.

The new satellites also carry payloads for Aerion's space-based, real-time tracking and surveillance of aircraft around the globe, which has implications for efficiency, economy and safety - especially in remote airspace over the oceans.